DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
MORE FAKE OBAMA DONORS ARE FOUND
The number of fake names attached to Barack Obama's campaign contributions continues to pile up as news outlets and political researchers go through thousands of pages of donor listings.
"Every campaign faces the challenge of screening and reviewing its contributions," Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said. The campaign returned all the money.
Campaign finance experts say the notion that someone would donate under a fake name is not surprising. Some don't want to be identified to avoid getting inundated with future requests.
The increasing number of false donors has to do with the dramatic change in the scale of Internet fundraising efforts, said Brett Kappel, a Democratic campaign finance lawyer.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee has filed a complaint with the FEC to review Obama's contributions for evidence of foreign influence. An August review by the Associated Press found that Obama's campaign accepted donations from at least three foreigners.
LaBolt rejected the complaint as little more than political mischief, and he noted that McCain refunded about $50,000 in donations solicited by a Jordanian national.
OBAMA NOTES CHANGE IN TONE
Obama acknowledged Saturday that John McCain has asked his supporters to temper their attacks on him.
"I appreciated his reminder that we can disagree while still being respectful of each other," Obama said. He said McCain "has served this country with honor, and he deserves our thanks for that."
On Friday in Lakeville, McCain defended Obama to a woman who called him an Arab. "No, ma'am," he said and called Obama "a decent, family man." McCain also drew boos when he said Obama wasn't a person to be feared in the White House.
NEWS SERVICES
